The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a computer networking protocol that allows network devices to receive network configuration parameters (such as IP addresses) from a DHCP server in an automated manner.

DHCP uses a client-server architecture. When a DHCP-configured client connects to a network (often at boot time), the client sends a broadcast request for configuration information. The DHCP server receives the request and, if it is valid, responds with configuration information from its configuration database. This information typically includes an IP address assigned to the client from a managed pool, a specified length of time for which the allocated information is valid (called a lease), the subnet mask of the network and the default gateway. When the allocation is completed, clients can initiate IP-based communications with other hosts on the network.

The protocol saves time and avoids errors when setting up even small IPv4 networks. New hosts can be added and configured automatically with little more intervention than setting up the client to retrieve information from a DHCP server. In contrast, hosts on IPv4 networks that do not use DHCP must be configured individually.